British conductor Daniel Harding named LA Philharmonic's music director - and keeps part-time pilot job

British conductor Daniel Harding, who uniquely balances his career in classical music with a role as a part-time commercial airline pilot, has been appointed as the music director of one of the premier orchestras in the United States.

At the age of 50, Harding will succeed the renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel as the Los Angeles Philharmonic's music director in 2027.

A native of Oxford, Harding's career trajectory soared when he became a teenage protégé of Sir Simon Rattle. He went on to conduct orchestras in Rome, Paris, and Stockholm and served as the principal guest conductor for the London Symphony Orchestra for a decade.

Since 2022, he has been professionally pursuing a dual career as a pilot for Air France—a position he plans to maintain even after taking on his new role in Los Angeles.

Conducting genius

Esa-Pekka Salonen, the LA Philharmonic's creative director, hailed Harding as "absolutely one of the most important conductors of our time."

Chairman Jason Subotky voiced the orchestra’s admiration for Harding's artistry and vision, stating, "His conducting genius has been widely recognized since the start of his career, and we are equally impressed by his vision for the role of music director in Los Angeles and his commitment to engaging with our community."

Dudamel expressed his "deep admiration for Daniel's artistry" and acknowledged the significant rapport Harding has developed with the orchestra's musicians during previous collaborations.

Reflecting on his new position, Harding stated, "Making music with the magnificent LA musicians is a thrill and an inspiration. Over recent years, the LA Phil has developed something extraordinary that cannot be manufactured: a kind of institutional charisma."

He added, "Many great artists have discovered opportunities here that are unique, and I arrive in California full of excitement for the possibilities we will explore and create together."

Harding's formal studies took place at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, where he was mentored by Sir Simon after sending a tape to the acclaimed conductor, who was then at the helm of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Sir Simon recognized Harding's talent and appointed him as his assistant.

By age 21, Harding had conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, becoming the youngest conductor in the history of the BBC Proms.

He played a pivotal role in founding the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and received a Grammy Award in 2010 for best opera recording for Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd with the London Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, he has held the position of music director for the Orchestre de Paris, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

After reaching 40, Harding pursued a passion for aviation, now piloting Airbus aircraft for Air France on medium-haul routes across Europe and North Africa for approximately one week each month.

"In flying, we must identify all potential threats and ensure we avoid them," he explained to the New York Times last year. "Conversely, in music, we strive to approach catastrophe as closely as possible.”

As he embarks on this new journey with the LA Philharmonic, Harding is joining an esteemed group of British music directors who have historically led top U.S. orchestras. Notable figures include Sir John Barbirolli, Leopold Stokowski, and Eugene Goossens, who conducted U.S. orchestras in the early 20th century, as well as Sir Georg Solti, who directed the Chicago Symphony from 1969 to 1991, and Sir Neville Marriner, who managed the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra in the 1970s and 80s.